Work

Identification of stable high-yielding and drought-tolerant rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the Eastern Himalayas using multi-trait stability indices

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Eastern Himalayan Region (EHR), where rice is an important staple crop, developing drought stress tolerant varieties is crucial for improving yield and stability in variable climates. Genotype-by-environment (GEI) analysis is essential to understand the potential performance of the rice genotypes across environments. Present study investigated the stress responsive agro-physiological performance and stability of nine rice genotypes over two consecutive years across four distinct environments, with a focus of imparting wider climate stress resilience vis a vis augmented drought tolerance. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions were observed for 16 agro-physiological traits based on likelihood ratio test analysis. Stability and multi-trait selection were assessed using Weighted Average of Absolute Scores (WAASB) and Smith-Hazel index-based models. Genotypes, Tripura Chikan Dhan (G9), TRC-2015-10 (G5) and TRC-2015-17 (G6) were identified stable and high yielding with superior physiological traits, based on WAASB based methods. Genotypes Nagina-22 (G2) and TRC-2015-17 (G6) were identified as desirable based on the Smith-Hazel index and TRC-2015-17 (G6) outperformed all other genotypes in terms of yield and physiological traits, as determined by both WAASB based methods and Smith-Hazel method. The genotype, TRC-2015-17 (G6) exhibited the high grain yield (25.5 g/plant) along with superior physiological traits, including maximum root length (99.53 cm), root volume (132.7 cm 3 ), and flag leaf thickness (0.22 mm). These findings emphasise the potential of Tripura Chikan Dhan (G9), TRC-2015-10 (G5) and TRC-2015-17 (G6) and ushering the scope for revalidating the same across diverse and challenging hill agro-ecologies to strengthen future breeding programme.

Source: Discover Sustainability

DOI: 10.1007/s43621-026-02968-6